British-based Russian artist ‘drank liquid soap and scuffled with staff in air rage attack’

A respected Russian artist onboard a United flight from Los Angeles to London is accused of acting like an animal after mixing wine and prescription drugs before allegedly drinking liquid soap and attacking the flight crew.

According to reports, three hours into the flight last Wednesday, Galina Rusanova started punching and kicking the flight crew, and at one point, she started barking like a dog before attempting to bite into the leg of an attendant.

It is alleged that the artist fell asleep after becoming intoxicated, and when she awoke, she started moving around the cabin and speaking incoherently.

She then allegedly walked to the lavatory where she took the liquid soap dispenser and drank it in front of an attendant.

A crewmember asked Rusanova to return to her seat and she started waving her arms and passengers and crewmembers tried to restrain her.

The British-based artist, who was returning home to London after visiting a male friend she met over the internet, told the FBI she had taken prescription drugs prior to boarding the plane and while on the plane, she had three small bottles of red wine.

Authorities said the plane was forced to re-route to Maine, where she was arrested and charged with assault and interference with a flight crew.

Rusanova, 54, who is a respected artist, actress and author, spent the night at Eastern Maine Medical Center for observation where she allegedly told the FBI “It’s typical of me.  I sometimes do crazy things.”

She is expected to appear in a Bangor, Maine, courtroom on Monday.